Mask Spacer Device

ABSTRACT

An insert for a face mask that is adapted to create an open area between the user&#39;s face and an inner side of the face mask.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to masks that are worn over a face, and inparticular devices that make such masks fit and perform better.

DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART

Face masks, and disposable face masks in particular, are masks that aremade of common textiles and plastics, often one or more layers ofpolypropylene, and that are worn over the mouth and nose and aretypically held in place by elastic loops that extend around a wearer'sears. Such masks are frequently recommended by public health agenciesfor disease source control in epidemic situations to protect others fromvirus laden droplets in infected mask wearers' breath, coughs, andsneezes, and are commonly worn in community settings.

As such masks are both a generally accepted manner of disease spreadprevention and also inexpensive to produce it is common for a greatnumber of people to wear such masks when sick and/or when living throughan epidemic. One particularly common use is by people who need to workin an enclosed building over long periods time, which of course is acommon occurrence during pandemics as communities try to carry on andbusinesses strive to operate all while also trying to limit the spreadof illness.

Unfortunately, such masks often become problematic in a number of wayswhen worn over long periods of time. The simple nature of the masksstructural design and, in particular, the material from which they aremade create a device that is soft, light, and flexible. As the masks aredesigned to fit closely over the users nose and mouth some of the fabricis often pulled in towards a user's mouth or nose as the user breaths,making breathing difficult and posing a hazardous situation. Prolongeduse of such masks is also known to cause anxiety in some users.

Many users also find that the masks rub or tickle a their face, oftencausing itching or irritation. Such masks also do not work well when aperson is talking, which often leads to a user lifting the mask up totalk or using his/her fingers to manipulate or support the mask whiletalking. All of the aforementioned issues frequently cause users to usetheir hands to interact with the mask, often resulting in a transfer ofgerms from the masks to the hands, thus defeating a portion of the maskspurpose.

What is needed, therefore, is a device that may be used with a face maskto keep the mask securely spaced away from a user's mouth to increasethe comfort and functionality while still allowing the mask to performits basic function of preventing the spread of disease, thereby makingusers more comfortable, less distracted, and less anxious.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a mask spacer device that fits into a conventionaldisposable face mask to create an air pocket below the user's nose andaround the user's mouth. The device has sufficient rigidity to securethe mask away from the user's nose and mouth as the user breaths andmoves about in a normal manner throughout a regular day, while alsoallowing the mask to remain secured to the user's face so that the maskstill serves it purpose in limiting the spread of disease. The devicealso fits entirely within the mask and does not contact the user's face.

The product design involves very little material, making the device bothcost effective and environmentally friendly. It may be made in variouslengths and widths in order to accommodate different size masks andfaces.

Collectively, the design of the device enables a user to wear adisposable face mask in a manner that is more comfortable, that allowsfor more oxygen flow, and that generally reduces the stress and anxietyof wearing such a mask.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical orfunctionally similar elements. The drawings are not drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the device according to the invention insertedin a disposable face mask.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device in its curved form.

FIG. 3 is a front view of device in a flattened form.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a user wearing a masking that includes thedevice to show the general location of the device when in use.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a user wearing a mask having the device,the mask having a cut out near the user's mouth to illustrate the shapeand space of the air pocket.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a user holding the device in the relativelocation where it would be positioned in the mask.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which the preferredembodiments of the invention are shown. This invention should not,however, be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;rather, they are provided so that this disclosure will be complete andwill fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in theart.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a mask spacer device 100 according to the inventionthat is adapted to fit into a mask M, such as a conventional disposablemask. The device 100 is a rigid support member 10 having a first end 12and a second end 14 as well as an upper edge 18 and a lower edge 22, thesupport member 10 having a shape that is roughly rectangular or oval,having a length between the first end 12 and the second end 14 that issignificantly greater than a width between the upper edge 18 and loweredge 22. The member 10 is curved outward such that a midpoint 16 ispositioned forward relative to the position of the first end 12 andsecond end 14.

In use, the first end 12 is inserted into one side S of an inner face Fof the facemask M and the second end 14 is inserted into an oppositeside S of the inner face F. The position of insertion may be an outeredge of the facemask M or it may be into a side of a pleat in thefacemask M. The curvature and length of the rigid support member 10pushes the mask a short distance outward, such that when a user iswearing the mask an air pocket is created beneath the user's nose and infront of the user's mouth. This air pocket makes it considerably easierfor the user to breath, lessen moisture buildup in the mask, andprevents a portion of the mask from being pulled into the user's mouthwhen the user inhales. When exhaling the mask also increases a user'scomfort by providing more room for the user's breath to expand away fromthe user's face. The additional space and ease of breathing has alsoproven to reduce anxiety in users. The device 100 also adds a measure oftension to the mask which causes it to better maintain its position onthe user's face and makes it less likely that a user, knowingly orotherwise, touches or adjusts the mask M, thereby reducing the risk ofspreading germs throughout the day.

There are a number of suitable materials that may be used inmanufacturing the device 100, including any material that has therigidity to hold its form across the mask while also being bendable toform the required curve, with the curve being created either during themanufacture process or by being made of a material that a user is ableto bend to the desired curve. For example, the device 100 may be madefrom a reusable non-toxic plastic. With this material the device 100 maybe removed from the mask at the end of each use and while the disposablemask may be thrown away the device 100 may be sanitized and reused againin the future. A number of plastics may be suitable, such as, forexample, medium density polyethylene (MDPE), high-density polyethylene(HDPE), and polypropylene (PP). For example, a thin sheet of PP issuitable for a device 100 that is intended to allow the user to bend thedevice to the desired curve by the user's hands. The device may also bemade of a biodegradable material that is likely used once and disposedwith the mask, such as a biodegradable cardboard.

The actual size and curvature may vary depending on the intended user,e.g. the size and shape of the user's face, and the intended mask. Ingeneral, it is intended to keep the middle of the mask approximatelybetween ⅝ of an inch and ½ of an inch from the user's face. For example,a device that is intended to fit in an adult size mask that has a widthof approximately 7 inches would have a length between the first end 12and the second end 14 that is slightly longer than seven inches, withthe curvature of the device naturally positioning the ends 12, 14, justinside the sides S of the mask where it is able to be secured insidefolds of the mask M and the length creating tension in the mask M. Thedistance between the upper edge 18 and lower edge 22 may vary, forexample the distance may be approximately between ¼ of an inch and 1inch, for example it may be approximately ½ of an inch. The device islikely to be very thin, likely ⅛ of an inch or less.

The device 100 may be formed with the desired curvature made during themanufacturing process and be ready for immediate use, or it may beformed as a straight piece and be bendable by a user so as to fitvarying facial structures and dimensions.

The device may be used with any number of conventional masks, such as,for example, the MAGICARE disposable medical grade face mask fromCECILIA TECH INC or the ECOGUARD INC 3-ply disposable face mask. Thedevice may also be used with any number of non-disposable face masks.

It is understood that the embodiments described herein are merelyillustrative of the present invention. Variations in the construction ofthe mask spacer may be contemplated by one skilled in the art withoutlimiting the intended scope of the invention herein disclosed and asdefined by the following claims.

What is claimed is: 1: A mask spacer device adapted to be inserted into a mask to create a space between a user's face and the mask, the mask spacer device comprising: A support member that has a first end and a second end, the support member curved outward, near a mid-point, relative to positions of the first end and second end; Wherein the first end is configured to be inserted into one side of the mask and the second end is configured to be inserted into an opposite side of the mask; and Wherein inserting the first end and the second end into the mask creates an air pocket between the user and the mask when the user wear's the mask. 2: The mask spacer device of claim 1, wherein the support member is formed from a non-toxic reusable plastic. 3: The mask spacer device of claim 1, wherein the support member is formed from a biodegradable material. 4: The mask spacer device of claim 1, wherein the support member has an upper edge and a lower edge and wherein the length between the first end and the second end is longer than the distance between the upper edge and the lower edge. 5: The mask spacer device of claim 1, wherein the length of the support member is longer than a width of the mask. 6: A mask spacer device adapted to create an air pocket between a user's face and a mask, the mask spacer device comprising: A support member that has a first end and a second end, the support member being bendable so that the user may create a curvature in the support member that causes a mid-point in the support member to extend outward relative to the position of the first end and second end; Wherein the first end is configured to be inserted into one side of the mask and the second end is configured to be inserted into an opposite side of the mask; and Wherein inserting the first end and second end into the mask creates an air pocket between the user and the mask when the user wear's the mask. 7: The mask spacer device of claim 6, wherein the support member is formed from a non-toxic reusable plastic. 8: The mask spacer device of claim 6, wherein the support member is formed from a biodegradable material. 9: The mask spacer device of claim 6, wherein the support member has an upper edge and a lower edge and wherein the length between the first end and second end is larger than the distance between the upper edge and lower edge. 